U.S. EPA Disaster Experts Stress Importance of Emergency Preparedness
Experts Available for Interviews During National Preparedness Month 2008
Audio files available on-line

(9/16/2008 -- SAN FRANCISCO) With more than 2,700 public and private sector organizational partners, September 2008 marks the fifth annual National Preparedness month. This month focuses on important preparedness steps including: Getting an Emergency Supply Kit, Making a Family Emergency Plan, Being Informed, and Getting Involved. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has created emergency preparedness audio files available for download on-line at: http://www.epa.gov/region09/disaster/. The files address environmental challenges that commonly arise in a disaster such as: addressing gas leaks, safely returning home, and purifying contaminated drinking water supplies.

The EPA's Superfund emergency response program requires the EPA’s on-scene coordinators to be fully prepared to respond wherever and whenever environmental threats occur. Along with a network of federal, state and local responders the EPA is always prepared to contain and clean up hazardous substances and chemicals released through accidents, natural disasters or terrorist incidents.

National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign. NPM is held each September and is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities. If you’re a member of the media interested in scheduling an interview with an EPA disaster expert, email or call one of the media liaisons listed below.

Northern California: Wendy Chavez, (415) 947-4282, chavez.wendy@epa.govCentral California/Arizona/Nevada: Mary Simms (415) 947-4270, simms.mary@epa.govSouthern California: Francisco Arcaute (213) 244-1815, arcaute.francisco@epa.govHawaii/Pacific Islands: Dean Higuchi (808) 541-2711 higuchi.dean@epa.gov Please include your name, media affiliation, contact information and deadline in your request. If you are a member of the public interested in learning more about any local environmental issues please contact us at (866) EPA-WEST (372-9378) or visit our web site at www.epa.gov/region9.